Jason’s hands stilled. “What?”
Roan told him about the attic space filled with junk, Marcus having nowhere to go, the freezing night in the alley. Then Cody’s situation—Devon, the Pattersons’ biological son, terrorizing him. The head wound. Tonight’s bathroom incident with the sink full of water.
“Lord have mercy,” Jason said when he finished. “That kid tried to drown him.”
“And the foster parents don’t care. Or won’t believe it. Either way, Cody’s not safe there.”
“So what do we do?”
“I don’t know yet. I need to call Logan tomorrow. Figure out what’s legally possible.” Roan rubbed his face. “They need to stay here. I feel it deep in my bones that this is the right thing. For all of us.” Roan’s voice cracked. “No kid should feel like no one decent wants them. That they’re worthless. So far, that’s what this life’s taught them. I have to do something.”
Jason sat down across from him, a pensive expression on his face. “We can’t save them all, but maybe we can save two. I have ridiculous amounts of money. I’ll help you financially.”
“You’d do that?”
“In a heartbeat.” Jason played with the wrapper on the beer bottle, lifting a corner. “It’s what Mom would want me to do.” He stood and walked over to the recycle bin, tossing his empty bottle inside. “You and Reese could make a good team for these boys.”
“Yeah. I think so too.” Roan looked over at his brother. “How was tonight with Mauve?”
“She’s something else. Like mind-blowingly special.”
“That complicates things for you, huh?” Roan asked.
“We’ll see.” Jason smiled, a dreamy look in his eyes. “But I think I’m going to marry her.”
Before Roan could say anything, Jason strolled out of the kitchen, a goofy smile on his face. Was that what he looked like when he was thinking about Reese? If so, he really needed to keep himself in check in front of the boys.
Roan pulled out his phone and texted Reese.
Roan
Boys are fed and asleep. Safe for now. But their situations are worse than we thought. Cody’s being abused by the Pattersons’ bio son. Marcus slept in the alley outside my gym last night.
Reese
OMG.
Roan
I know. I’m going to talk to my cousin tomorrow. See what my options are. And I’m going to take them shopping in the morning. This jacket situation is ridiculous.
Reese
Let me know if you need anything from me.
Roan
Will you go with me to see Logan?
Reese
Absolutely.
Roan
In other news, I love you. Never stopped.
Three dots appeared, then disappeared, then appeared again.
